1966 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray

Output of the carbureted 327-cid V-8 ranged from 250 to 340 bhp, while the fuel-injected version for an extra $430, reached 360 bhp. This Corvette could hit 60 in 5.6 seconds, blasting through the quarter-mile in as little as 14.5 seconds (at 102 mph). As for handling, Road & Track reported that the “new Sting Ray sticks with great gripping gobs of traction.”

The 1966 model’s frontal appearance was mildly altered with an eggcrate grille insert to replace the previous horizontal bars, and the coupe lost its roof-mounted extractor vents, which had proven inefficient. Corvettes also received an emblem in the corner of the hood for 1966. Head rests were a new option. This relative lack of change reflected plans to bring out an all-new Corvette for 1967. It certainly did not reflect a fall-off in the car’s popularity, however. In fact, 1966 would prove another record-busting year, with volume rising to 27,720 units, up some 4200 over 1965’s sales.